When we ask teachers and leaders what stops them from trying something new or doing something different, they inevitably identify that it is the concern around failure or judgment.

Teachers are often fearful of deviating from the norms when it comes to their classroom practice. Leaders are often accused of always leading in the same way. There is an intrinsic fear of failure - and of judgment - that take a grip on teachers and leaders and prevents them from stepping outside of their comfort zone. There is sometimes a perception of loss of control when trying something new. The outcome of this is that teachers and leaders operate in a state of stagnation around their toolkit of strategies that work.

The inquiry process provides a safe space in which teachers can use new strategies and measure the impact of these new strategies -something that can be likened to a sandpit at primary school.